Tascam DR-70D. Every time I think I'll upgrade to a SD MixPre-6 I listen to my recordings and realize there's no need. Info linked in my signature if you're not familiar with it.

You don't have many other choices under $700 with 4 or more phantom-powered XLR inputs. Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Zoom H6 and the Zoom F4. I've used the H6 on several occasions and I strongly prefer the 70D. I've never used an F4, but I have heard very good things about it.

EDIT: I completely forgot about the Tascam DR-680 which has extensive discussion from many users here. There's also the Tascam DR-701D (if you need HDMI camera sync) and Marantz PMD-706.

Tascam DR-70D. Every time I think I'll upgrade to a SD MixPre-6 I listen to my recordings and realize there's no need. Info linked in my signature if you're not familiar with it.

You don't have many other choices under $700 with 4 or more phantom-powered XLR inputs. Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Zoom H6 and the Zoom F4. I've used the H6 on several occasions and I strongly prefer the 70D. I've never used an F4, but I have heard very good things about it.

EDIT: I completely forgot about the Tascam DR-680 which has extensive discussion from many users here. There's also the Tascam DR-701D (if you need HDMI camera sync) and Marantz PMD-706.

Do you prefer the dr-70d or the dr-680? I appreciate the insight I was looking at an r44 that lists new around $680 glad there are other good options. I imagine the mixpre6 might go around $700 once the micpre10 starts circulating also.

Do you prefer the dr-70d or the dr-680? I appreciate the insight I was looking at an r44 that lists new around $680 glad there are other good options. I imagine the mixpre6 might go around $700 once the micpre10 starts circulating also.

Not sure if you’re focused on new, eBay and the YS had used R44s selling for around $400 last time I looked around, sometimes even lower if you’re lucky.

I owned a DR680 for a few days (literally) about 4 years ago after I bought one on Amazon when they did a big price cut one day. I felt like it was too complicated (at the time...I may see it differently today, but kinda doubt it) and would have returned it had I not traded it for a V2 in the YS. I can’t speak for the DR70 directly, but I did seriously consider either the DR70 or DR60, and decided against it. I bought a new DR100mkII when I got into taping, and while it was a nice enough deck, I felt like the build quality wasn’t the strongest for what we do (outdoors, in clubs/bars/GA pits, surrounded by drunks and wooks, and other ‘occupational hazards’). I’ve not had any issues with it, but I felt like I needed to graduate beyond Tascam in terms of build quality. I’m sure it’s fine for a lot of people in a lot of situations, but I just didn’t feel like it met my needs.

I know it’s not in your budget now, but the MixPre 6 is absolutely the best deck I’ve owned/used. Being able to leave the V2, extra battery, interconnects, etc. at home almost would have been worth the cost on its own, but it is built super solid, is easy to use, the preamps sound incredible and I’ve recorded for 8 straight hours (granted only 2 channel in this particular case) with the smallish external battery still at ~40% capacity. If you can afford it, I think you’d be happy with a MP6.

Do you prefer the dr-70d or the dr-680? I appreciate the insight I was looking at an r44 that lists new around $680 glad there are other good options. I imagine the mixpre6 might go around $700 once the micpre10 starts circulating also.

Not sure if you’re focused on new, eBay and the YS had used R44s selling for around $400 last time I looked around, sometimes even lower if you’re lucky.

I owned a DR680 for a few days (literally) about 4 years ago after I bought one on Amazon when they did a big price cut one day. I felt like it was too complicated (at the time...I may see it differently today, but kinda doubt it) and would have returned it had I not traded it for a V2 in the YS. I can’t speak for the DR70 directly, but I did seriously consider either the DR70 or DR60, and decided against it. I bought a new DR100mkII when I got into taping, and while it was a nice enough deck, I felt like the build quality wasn’t the strongest for what we do (outdoors, in clubs/bars/GA pits, surrounded by drunks and wooks, and other ‘occupational hazards’). I’ve not had any issues with it, but I felt like I needed to graduate beyond Tascam in terms of build quality. I’m sure it’s fine for a lot of people in a lot of situations, but I just didn’t feel like it met my needs.

I know it’s not in your budget now, but the MixPre 6 is absolutely the best deck I’ve owned/used. Being able to leave the V2, extra battery, interconnects, etc. at home almost would have been worth the cost on its own, but it is built super solid, is easy to use, the preamps sound incredible and I’ve recorded for 8 straight hours (granted only 2 channel in this particular case) with the smallish external battery still at ~40% capacity. If you can afford it, I think you’d be happy with a MP6.

A buddy sold his mixpre3 recently. Said it was hyped up being the new kid on the block with lots of bells and whistles but the pre wasn't much better than an m10.

Tascam DR-70D. Every time I think I'll upgrade to a SD MixPre-6 I listen to my recordings and realize there's no need. Info linked in my signature if you're not familiar with it.

You don't have many other choices under $700 with 4 or more phantom-powered XLR inputs. Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Zoom H6 and the Zoom F4. I've used the H6 on several occasions and I strongly prefer the 70D. I've never used an F4, but I have heard very good things about it.

EDIT: I completely forgot about the Tascam DR-680 which has extensive discussion from many users here. There's also the Tascam DR-701D (if you need HDMI camera sync) and Marantz PMD-706.

I'm with Volt. The DR-70D with an approved card is solid, inexpensive, easy to use, good metering, will run forever with a USB battery, provides 4 channels of P48 if needed.

The DR-70D with an approved card is solid, inexpensive, easy to use, good metering, will run forever with a USB battery, provides 4 channels of P48 if needed.[/quote]

I agree as well. Sounds decent right out of the box, not complicated, inexpensive.

Also inexpensive is the Marantz 706 which has a few other features I've found useful - but as an early adopter I'm reluctant to really recommend it until I've had some more use with it in the field. It works and it sounds good. Haven't done a shootout or any side by side but I would say the preamps are comparable to the DR70d - maybe with a slight edge to the DR70d.

I'm with Volt. The DR-70D with an approved card is solid, inexpensive, easy to use, good metering, will run forever with a USB battery, provides 4 channels of P48 if needed.

If someone plans to use one of the approved cards, though (and certainly there are many people who found that unnecessary), it would be wise to first look at the list of approved cards and then look into their availability. Again that's only an issue IF one insists on using one of the approved cards...

I like the DR680MKII. It has a lot of flexibility as well as the option to record up to 8 channels and digi input. It can seem challenging at first because it has a boatload of features that you can take advantage of.

However if you want a simple excellent 4 channel deck under $700.00, you may want to research the Tascam DR701d. While it looks like to DR70d, it has a totally different OS and is metal construction. The sound is excellent. I have both the 70d and 701d. I use the 70d when I am afraid someone is going to trample my rig or douse it in beer. Otherwise I much prefer the DR701d.

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I agree with George!! In the past I've run an R44, DR680, DR70d, and even DR-2d for 4 channel recordings. The Mixpre-6 is a better recorder no contest IMO. Better build, sounding preamps, features, metering, and customer support. I'd spend the extra cash and get a mixpre 6